Users of this drug are now being described exhibiting behaviour similar to Marvel character, the Incredible Hulk.

Monkey dust can also cause hypothermia by producing high body temperatures, and its effects can last for several days, sometimes leading to hospitalisation and long-term illnesses.

Is it illegal?

The UK government classes synthetic cathinones such a monkey dust as Class B drugs, and the substance is therefore illegal.

Monkey dust is also illegal in the USA, Australia and Canada.

How many people are using it?

Both the Police and Ambulance Service in the UK have seen an increase in the rise of incidents and call-outs regarding this drug.

It is now feared that more people across the country will start taking the addictive powder, due to it being sold at such a low cost.

The city of Stoke in particular has witnessed the biggest spike in drug-users taking monkey dust.

Staffordshire Police and emergency services have reportedly responded to around 950 incidents related to monkey dust in the past three months. This equates to more than 10 a day.

West Midlands Ambulance Service has also seen an increase in monkey dust related call-outs since December 2017.

“The public may be familiar with users wandering about in a zombie-like state after taking these drugs, but this is something different,” said Staffordshire Police Chief Superintendent Jeff Moore.

“There are various strains of these drugs and what we are seeing now is people becoming extremely agitated and paranoid. Sometimes they can be violent. They’re often trying to get away from things, so they’ll climb up buildings or run into traffic.”

There have been no recorded incidents related to monkey dust in Scotland, according to local police.